Message Mate Copyright ˝ 2011 by Charles R

God’s Masterwork, Volume One Beginnings — A Survey of Genesis – Deuteronomy Genesis: Where It All Begins A Survey of Genesis

The Heart of the Matter Tools forfor Serving as God’s introduction to His Word, Genesis holds a significant place in the canon Digging Deeper of Scripture. The events Genesis describes and the themes it develops set the stage for everything that comes after. Remove it, and we are immediately confused, completely at a loss to understand the direction God is going. It is clear, therefore, why this book (more than any other in the Bible) is the target of constant criticism and attack. Disprove its validity, and we are well on our way to the destruction of our faith. But Genesis still stands! In this overview, we want to get a grasp on what the book is saying, how it fits together, and where it leads us in the next scriptural scene.

God’s Masterwork Discovering the Way Volume One 1. The Name: Genesis Beginnings — A Survey Genesis means “the beginning” of something, an idea picked up from Genesis 1:1 but also in of Genesis – Deuteronomy the repeated phrase, “the generations of . . .” by Charles R. Swindoll CD Series

2. The Content: A Survey The first eleven chapters of Genesis cover the beginnings of the human race, while chapters 12 – 50 cover the beginnings of the chosen race. Insights Bible Reading Guide: Old Testament by Insight for Living spiral bound book

Starting Your Journey Genesis reveals five truths about human beings. First, we have been created by God. Second, we have fallen out of His favor because of sin. Third, divine judgment has fallen on us. Fourth, Insight’s Old Testament many continue to choose human good over God’s good purposes. And, finally, God is still at Handbook: A Practical work, using people of His choosing to bring others into His plan. Look at Each Book by Insight for Living softcover book

To order any of these recommended resources, call 1-800-663-7639 or visit insightforliving.ca

Original outline copyright ˝ 1978 and Message Mate copyright ˝ 2011 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited. Committed to Excellence in Communicating Biblical Truth and Its Application GENESIS

Creation Fall Flood Nations Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph

CHAPTERS CHAPTERS CHAPTERS CHAPTERS CHAPTERS CHAPTERS CHAPTERS CHAPTERS 1–2 3–5 6–9 10–11 12–25 26–27 28–36 37–50

Beginnings Beginning of the human race Beginning of the chosen race

Result Confusion and scattering Bondage in Egypt

History Primeval history Patriarchal history

Chronology Over 2,000 years Approximately 300 years

Emphasis Four major events Four important people

Key Words “In the beginning” (1:1) and Phrases “Generations” (5:1; 6:9; 10:1; 11:10; 11:27; 25:12; 25:19; 36:1; 37:2) Theme God promises to redeem and bless His people.

Key Verses 3:15; 12:3 Pictured in the seed of the woman (3:15); Melchizedek, the high priest (14:18); Christ in Genesis the humiliation and exaltation of Joseph (chapters 37–50)

Copyright ˝ 2011 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited. Committed to Excellence in Communicating Biblical Truth and Its Application God’s Masterwork, Volume One Beginnings — A Survey of Genesis – Deuteronomy Basic Bible Study Tools Charles R. Swindoll

The more serious you become about personal Bible study, the more you will be aware of the importance of owning some good study tools. Numerous books are available today, some of which are listed below. You should form the habit of purchasing at least one study aid per month for your own library. 1. Bibles It is best if you have a study Bible that has paragraphic notations or divisions. You will also want to get some of the modern translations, versions, and paraphrases — preferably in hardcover. There are several excellent versions of the Bible. For casual reading, the New International Version is my preference. However, for serious study with accuracy in mind, I recommend the New American Standard Bible. 2. Concordances A concordance is a must. It is an alphabetical listing of all the words in the Bible and of all the verses in which they appear. • Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible or Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible are my preferences. • Acquire an exhaustive concordance of the translation you use for study. • Most good computer programs for Bible study (see reverse) allow for multiple-word searches, including lexical searches in the original languages. 3. Dictionaries and Encyclopedias • English — Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary or The Random House Dictionary of the English Language • Bible — The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary is the best. • Theological — Baker’s Dictionary of Practical Theology is a good tool. • Greek and Hebrew — Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words • Encyclopedia — The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible (five volumes) andThe International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (four volumes) are excellent. 4. Geographical and Cultural Helps • A good atlas is indispensable for understanding context. The Moody Atlas of Bible Lands is highly recommended. (Also, if you have not yet been to Israel, you should go!) • Bible backgrounds — The New Unger’s Bible Handbook, Halley’s Bible Handbook, Merrill Tenney’s New Testament Times: Understanding the World of the First Century, or Alfred Edersheim’s Bible History: Old Testament 5. Bible Doctrine Books • Systematic Theology by Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge, or Systematic Theology by Augustus H. Strong • Biblical Theology of the New Testament by Charles C. Ryrie • Major Bible Themes by Lewis Sperry Chafer — a good, concise book 6. Commentaries • Surveys of the entire Bible — The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty (in two volumes, Old and New Testaments) is outstanding. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary is my preferred one-volume commentary.

• Expositional (verse by verse) — some of the best are by Donald G. Barnhouse, Kenneth S. Wuest, William R. Newell, R. C. H. Lenski, H. C. Leupold, William Barclay, John F. Walvoord, Arthur W. Pink, and Tyndale House • Devotional — books by G. Campbell Morgan, F. B. Meyer, Alan Redpath, H. A. Ironside, and Charles R. Swindoll • Analytical — books by W. Graham Scroggie and Merrill Tenney, as well as the I. C. C. (International Critical Commentary) series (critical and tends toward the liberal side)

Concerning Commentaries • Best to purchase one of the entire Bible first • Best to use different types in your study • Best to consult them after your own personal study • Best to read with discernment; don’t be afraid to challenge or disagree • An excellent volume by John Glynn, Commentary & Reference Survey, lists and explains the most popular and recommended commentaries (from various perspectives — evangelical, liberal, etc.) on every book of the Bible. It is helpful when you’re looking for which commentary to buy . . . and which one not to buy. 7. Bible Study Computer Programs • BibleWorks (for PC) — see www.bibleworks.com Designed for analysis of the biblical text, BibleWorks is the best program for the PC platform — for all levels of users. It offers search tools, lexicons, and dictionaries for Bible study, sermon preparation, and detailed Bible research. • Libronix Digital Library System (for PC) — see www.logos.com An astounding assortment of commentaries, books, dictionaries, and tools allows for quick research on any passage or topic. Many of the recommended resources on this handout are in the Libronix Library. • Accordance (for Macintosh) — see www.accordancebible.com From basic Bible study helps to advanced research tools, Accordance is the best program for the Mac environment. Accordance offers Bibles, commentaries, lexicons, and a comprehensive library of materials and tools that can grow with your needs. 8. Web Sites • www.bible.org — “In the last decade bible.org has grown to serve millions of individuals around the world through providing thousands of trustworthy resources for Bible study — including an exciting new translation of the Bible (the NET Bible).” — from their Web site • www.bibleplaces.com — “BiblePlaces.com features photographs and descriptions of sites in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and Greece with an emphasis on biblical archaeology, geography and history.” — from their Web site 9. Bible Study Methods • Living by the Book by Howard G. Hendricks and William D. Hendricks • Independent Bible Study by Irving L. Jensen • How to Study the Bible for Yourself by Tim LaHaye • Methodical Bible Study by Robert A. Traina